Description

Hypercard tablets are used to treat primary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. This is a condition which results in the heart becoming abnormally large and thickened. If patients are left untreated, the heart muscle gradually declines and the affected cat goes into heart failure. Hypercard acts to slow the heart down and allows the muscle to relax more. Blood vessels are opened up slightly, especially those supplying the heart. This improves the circulation of blood to the heart muscle, and makes it easier to pump blood around the body, reducing the work load on the heart muscle. Life span and quality of life are improved.

Hypercard side effects can include lethargy and anorexia, though these tend to pass in a few days as the patient gets used to the medication. A few cats will show vomiting or constipation, and possibly skin reactions and rashes. In a few cats the heart rate slows down too much and the blood pressure gets too low, so medication has to be stopped.

Contraindications, warnings, etc

Do not use in animals suffering from AV block (2nd or 3rd), hypotension or sick sinus syndrome.

Diltiazem should not be given to animals suffering from hepatic disease.

Do not use in animals suffering from renal disease.

Do not use in cats less than 12 months old.

Do not use in cats weighing less than 3 kg.

Do not use in animals that are hypersensitive to diltiazem.

Do not use in cats with severe bradycardia or arterial hypotension.

Do not use in conjunction with beta-blockers, digitalis or digoxin.

Do not use in pregnant or lactating females.

Special precautions for use in animals: Hepatic failure may increase the plasma concentration of diltiazem.

Monitor glucose levels carefully in diabetic animals.

Use with caution in cats suffering from congestive heart failure.

Cats with possible pre-existing thyroid problems or hyperthyroidism should be treated for this first and then be reassessed, prior to commencing treatment with diltiazem.

Clinical examination to assess the effectiveness of treatment should be performed after 8 weeks.

Cardiac rate should be monitored prior to treatment commencing and at every follow up visit.

Special precautions for the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals: Wash hands after use as tartrazine in the colour coating may cause allergic reaction in people who are susceptible.

In case of accidental ingestion, seek medical advice immediately and show the data sheet to the physician.

Do not break tablets.

Adverse reactions: Some lethargy can occur at the beginning of treatment.

Concurrent use with cimetidine or any other histamine 2 receptor antagonists may cause an increase in plasma diltiazem concentrations.

Gaseous anaesthetics such as halothane, isoflurane or enflurane have synergistic or additive effects with diltiazem, which may lead to hypotension, depressed myocardial contractile function, slow junctional rhythm and AV block. Therefore, animals treated with Hypercard 10 mg and undergoing gaseous anaesthesia should be monitored closely.

Overdose: Carry out gastric lavage and dose with activated charcoal.

For bradycardia and heart block, treat with normal saline infusion and vasopressors (atropine, dopamine or isoprenaline).

Observations in humans have indicated that treatment with calcium may be useful in treating toxicity from calcium channel blocker overdose.

Pharmaceutical precautions

Do not store above 25°C. Keep the blister strips in the outer carton. Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after EXP.

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 30 months.

Disposal: Any unused veterinary medical product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Legal category

POM-V

Packaging quantities

Tablets are located in a pre-formed low density polyethylene base containing 10 tablets and sealed with PC 100 laminate comprising of low density polyethylene and aluminium foil. Once sealed, 3 blisters of 10 tablets (30 tablets) are placed in a cardboard box.

Further information

For animal treatment only. To be supplied only on veterinary prescription. Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

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Questions & Answers for HyperCard tablets for Cats

I missed a dose this morning

19th May 2015

cats hypercard tablet

Missed dose what to do?

John Cousins BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

Give a dose as soon as you can, then give the remaining doses for the day spread evenly through the rest of the day, as long as there is at least about 4 hours between each dose. If there is not time to do that, then just forget the missed dose and give the others as normal, it is unlikely to be serious

HyperCard tablets

1st Apr 2015

lozza

My cat is on these 3 times daily. Wat if I missed one day will it affect him.

John Cousins BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

It is not ideal to miss a day, but in fact cats are so difficult with tablets that this can often happen. It does not seem to be a problem to miss a day or so occasionally.

HyperCard

9th Apr 2014

Lozza

Does HyperCard have to be given on an empty stomach and how long before giving the meds do you have to starve?

John Cousins BVSc MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon

There are no particular requirements with Hypercard regarding giving with or without food. The absorption of the drug from the gut is not affected by the presence or absence of food (unlike some drugs) so you can feed when you want. It is advised that Hypercard tablets are best swallowed whole though, which can be difficult with many cats.